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The forest canopy layer supports a diverse range of flora and fauna. It has been dubbed "the last biotic frontier" as it provides a habitat that has allowed for the evolution of countless species of plants, microorganisms, invertebrates (e.g., insects), and vertebrates (e.g., birds and mammals) that are unique to the upper layer of forests. [ 12 ]
Canopy research is a relatively new scientific field which was hampered for a long time by lack of means of access to the tree canopies and lack of appropriate means of housing researchers. Climbing gear, tree houses , canopy walkways , cranes , airships and inflatable platforms resting on the treetops have lately overcome these barriers.
Canopy is formed by the mass of intertwined branches, twigs, and leaves of mature trees. The crowns of the dominant trees receive most of the sunlight. This is the most productive part of the trees, where maximum food is produced. The canopy forms a shady, protective "umbrella" over the rest of the forest.
Forest with canopy, shrub and herb layers of vegetation. The following layers are generally distinguished: forest floor (root and moss layers), herb, shrub, understory and canopy layers. These vegetation layers are primarily determined by the height of their individual plants, the different elements may however have a range of heights.
A hemispherical photograph of forest canopy. The ratio of the area of canopy to sky is used to approximate LAI. Indirect methods of estimating LAI in situ can be divided roughly into at least three categories: indirect contact LAI measurements such as plumb lines and inclined point quadrats [citation needed] indirect non-contact measurements
Crown closure, also known as canopy closure, is an integrated measure of the canopy "over a segment of the sky hemisphere above one point on the ground". [1] Crown cover is the proportion of a stand covered by the crowns of live trees. A forest stand can have a crown cover of 100% and a
Science & Tech. Shopping. Sports. Weather. 24/7 Help. ... In its natural habitat, these plants grow as tall trees, basking in the filtered light beneath the forest canopy.
The forest canopy reduces solar radiation, so the ground does not heat up or cool down as rapidly as open ground. Consequently, the understory dries out more slowly than more exposed areas do. The greater humidity encourages epiphytes such as ferns and mosses, and allows fungi and other decomposers to flourish.